8. CHILD-CENTERED INSTRUCTION Child-centered instruction (also referred to as student- or learner-centered) is different from a traditional teacher-directed approach because it shifts the focus of instruction from the teacher to the student. It creates a learning environment where children are active participants in their own learning, rather than passive receivers of information. Through child-centered instruction, children learn through hands-on experiences by engaging in activities focused on the learning process rather than a product (Cornelius-White, 2007). In addition, children lead teachers to what they are interested in learning and teachers facilitate that learning as opposed to direct instruction. Research has shown that child-centered instruction is related to improved academic success (Lerkkanen et al., 2016). It also encourages them to develop relationships with their peers and improves their social and emotional skills as well as executive function skills (Burchinal et al., 2008). Child-centered instruction is central to other trends in ECE, such as nature-based preschools and culturally responsive teaching. Some examples of preschools that incorporate child-centered instruction include Reggio Emilia, Montessori, and Waldorf. CHILD-CENTERED INSTRUCTION RESOURCE For more information on the difference between student- and teacher-centered learning, reference the following article: Complete Guide to Teacher-Centered vs. Student-Centered Learning
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